Extraordinary! But how come it’s still not enough to describe the great OG journey over the last two years. Starting from the most underrated team in 2018, then became the International champion in the same year. Now, OG has confirmed their prestige as a true DOTA 2 champion!
The difference is, if they worked hard last year, in TI9 this time they are the masters of the tournament. Since the group stage, OG has not been the least slack. Consistency continues in the playoffs by defeating Newbee, Evil Geniuses, and PSG.LGD.
New history is ready to be printed as their challenger in the final is Liquid, the winner of TI 2017. It means, the opportunity for both teams to be the first to win the Aegis of Champion twice!
MATCH REVIEW
Liquid starts the game with a clear strategy. Do not let OG get its mainstay heroes such as IO, Alchemist, Ember Spirit, and Invoker. Then choose the best heroes for W33 and Mind_contRoL, namely Meepo and Tidehunter.
OG actually doesn’t have the best counter to fend off Liquid’s troops. Even the specter plotted to be the opening path of victory did not have enough time to collect items to be stronger during the war. They had a golden moment and almost won the match, only the throwing habits of the OG team emerged and Liquid did not waste the opportunity. Liquid book 1 victory in the best of five series.
Although the second fight was overshadowed by the lag, OG did not feel familiar with this situation. Last year’s final they innovated by turning Tiny into support from JerAx, then securing Monkey King, one of Topson’s best heroes. However, there is no longer Meepo for the second time.
As a result, Topson dominated the match and bullied the Templar Assassin W33. He even posted rampage as a sweetener for victory. Likewise, JerAx plays incredible with three-pointers and rotations that make players stifling Liquid. JerAx’s action against Mind_contRoL on the top lane alone when Liquid’s headquarters were bombarded further emphasized how left Liquid was in the second game. OG successfully equalized 1-1.
Liquid still doesn’t want to change the draft drastically. Templar Assassin and Tidehunter are still the main choices in the competition scheme. But this time, Miracle- played Juggernaut, a hero who has a history of bringing Liquid to be the champion at TI7.
But OG also has a plan! They chose Pugna for Topson, while Tiny was again piloted by JerAx. Topson is getting crazy in the third game with his rotation which Liquid cannot compensate in any way. Moreover, the rate of early game Kuroky Cs. unconvincing. Ceb with its Enchantress is able to inhibit the Miracle farm – by continuing to be in the lane. Only moves when Miracle- joins to TP to another lane.
Meanwhile, OG is superior thanks to the initial rotation of Tiny and burst by Topson able to take the midlane area along with the Radiant top jungle. As a result, Liquid unable to farm significantly.
The OG snowball process began, they again ignored the existence of tier 2 and 3 towers for the sake of killing and embarrassing desires of the TI7 champions. Liquid looks like a mediocre team before OG in this game. Topson and JerAx again secured a win for OG, they were 2-1 up!
Last game, determining the search for TI9 champions. Liquid finally decides to reform. No more Templars Assassin and Tidehunter, and trust Windranger and Omniknight. Unfortunately, their tire selection also changed. IO is released from the target tire immediately secured by Notail, as well as Tiny who became a thorn in the flesh in the last two games.
But Liquid feels quite strong with Miracle- who uses Bristleback. Moreover, they have a good sustain from Omniknight and Chen. OG seems familiar with the Liquid draft, and they know how to defeat it, the Gyrocopter and Diffusal Blade. Bristleback, though strong, does not have abundant mana. Without mana, this hero is not able to maximize damage output to the opponent. Topson cleverly took advantage of the hero’s weaknesses and made it a running punching bag for OG.
Losing his attack ability, Liquid can only go back and forth trying to protect Bristleback, while other OG members are trying to target the backline from Liquid while Topson is absorbed in dancing against the ‘porcupine thorn’.
The superiority of the OG strategy led to a victory in the fourth game and finished the TI9 series. OG shows that they are more mature than last year, and are now proud as the first DOTA 2 team to win twice the Aegis of Champion, especially in a row!
OG received the biggest prize of their career, $ 15,609,693 USD. The players also received the most cash prizes in the history of esports with more than $ 3 million USD per player.
Wow, congratulations OG! Exciting and unforgettable match !! Is the era of OG dominance still continuing in The International next year?
